Xero’s Secrets of Accounting Firm & Small Business Growth - Accounting Voices Podcast

Episode 49

Xero’s Secrets of Accounting Firm & Small Business Growth

Published on: 9th May, 2019

Glen Foster

Glen Foster has been working with accountants and small businesses for almost 15 years. As Xero UK employee number 6, he has seen a major shift in the adoption of cloud accounting and associated tools over the last 9 years and learnt a lot of lessons along the way.

With a passion for technology and the impact that can have on professional services and small businesses. Glen takes a particular interest in how new technology can help accounting firms streamline compliance, improve client’s cashflow and maximise Xero’s partner apps. Shownotes:

  • How accountants can deliver world class experience and add real value to their clients
  • Insight into the Instafile acquisition and how it will free up valuable time for accountants
  • Three activities that the digital savvy firms do every day to enhance client relationships
  • Explore the elephant in the room – Making Tax Digital (MTD)
  • Why identifying key skills within the accountancy firm is key to enhancing client relationships
  • How the Xero platform can help clients get paid faster and raise funding
  • Tools and techniques to help accountants differentiate themselves from the competition
  • Utilising Xero’s resources to identify and recruit great talent
  • Why the fastest growing accountancy firms talk to their clients on average every 30 minutes

'#Accounting firms that typically grow faster talk to their clients more often. The fastest growing firms talk to their clients on average every half an hour' says @glen_foster #accountex #AccountingTop100 #accountinginsight

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  • Key facets within a practice where digital can add value
  • How to take control of the digital transition to avoid hitting a brick wall
  • Key steps accountancy practices can take towards becoming fully digital
  • Why the UK accountancy market is ripe for disruption and how it’s being revolutionised
  • Great technology is available to the masses, no longer the preserve of large businesses.
  • What separates the good accounts from the great accountants
  • Upcoming challenges for accountants in practice and why uncertainty breeds opportunity.

 

'Half of businesses in the UK are not cash flow positive.' says #accounting tech advocate and small business expert @glen_foster from @Xero) #accountancy #accountex #AccountingTop100 #accountinginsight

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Glen Foster on the BD Academy Accounting Influencers podcast with Rob Brown

 

Outside of work, Glen is an avid Crystal Palace football supporter and fan of Northampton Saints rugby. He’s also a keen cyclist and over-competitive table tennis player in the Xero office. Find out more at XERO or to contact Glen directly:

Twitter: @glen_foster

Glen on LinkedIn

Liked your Accounting Influencers Interview with Rob Brown" target="_blank">email him directly>>

 

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About the Podcast

Accounting Voices Podcast
Accounting Voices helps people in the accounting world stay relevant visible and vocal. Host Rob Brown interprets trends reshaping the profession and gives listeners insight to build authority influence and a stronger voice in firms and markets.
Accounting Voices, hosted by Rob Brown, helps decision makers and leaders in accounting and finance stay relevant, visible and vocal in a profession being reshaped by technology, private equity, regulation and shifting client expectations. Each episode interprets the trends disrupting accounting and finance such as AI, automation, M&A, talent and the move to advisory and translates them into practical insight that strengthens authority and influence.
Accounting Voices is also a platform for the wider ecosystem of networks, associations, educators, consultants, software vendors and technology experts who serve accountants and finance professionals worldwide. It extends into regular Accounting Voices networking sessions that connect this audience and amplify ideas that move the profession forward. With its international reach and long shelf life the show delivers credibility and commercial value for listeners and sponsors alike. Search for "Accounting Voices" on YouTube for all episodes and connect with Rob Brown on LinkedIn to find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

About your host

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Rob Brown

ob Brown is the creator and host of the Accounting Voices Network, a media platform that includes the flagship solo podcast Accounting Voices and the panel shows Accounting M&A and Accounting Tech. He chairs conferences, panels and virtual events worldwide and is recognised as a leading advocate for the accounting profession.

He is an accomplished speaker and authority on trust, reputation, employer brand, talent, succession, executive presence and the forces shaping the future of accounting. Rob is the author of the bestselling book Build Your Reputation (Wiley) and his TEDx talk The Personal Brand of You has been viewed more than 400,000 times.

A former co-founder of the Accounting Influencers Roundtable, Rob now focuses on amplifying the voices of leaders, firms, networks, vendors and influencers across the global accounting ecosystem.

Outside of work he is a stroke survivor, lives with epilepsy, holds a black belt in kickboxing and is based in Nottingham, UK. He plays chess and backgammon, loves orange chocolate and is allergic to grapefruit.